This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/5387298.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Polls open in Zambian elections | Polls open in Zambian elections |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Long queues are forming as Zambians vote to elect a president, MPs and local councillors with many voters waiting hours to cast their ballots. | Long queues are forming as Zambians vote to elect a president, MPs and local councillors with many voters waiting hours to cast their ballots. |
| There are five presidential candidates, with incumbent Levy Mwanawasa seeking a second five-year term. | There are five presidential candidates, with incumbent Levy Mwanawasa seeking a second five-year term. |
| He is facing a strong challenge from former minister Michael Sata, who has accused the president of selling off Zambian resources to foreign interests. | He is facing a strong challenge from former minister Michael Sata, who has accused the president of selling off Zambian resources to foreign interests. |
| European Union monitors across the country report no signs of trouble. | European Union monitors across the country report no signs of trouble. |
| Opinion polls have varied wildly, but the most recent ones put Mr Mwanawasa ahead. | Opinion polls have varied wildly, but the most recent ones put Mr Mwanawasa ahead. |
| Economic success | Economic success |
| Political leaders made their final appeals to voters on Wednesday. | Political leaders made their final appeals to voters on Wednesday. |
| The BBC's Damian Zane in Lusaka says Mr Mwanawasa, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) leader, will be hoping his message of stability proves a winner. | The BBC's Damian Zane in Lusaka says Mr Mwanawasa, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) leader, will be hoping his message of stability proves a winner. |
| There are three lines and we have to vote in alphabetical order. I think I might be able to vote soon as my surname begins with 'B' Naomi Banda, 22, studentLusaka Zambian's voting experiences Are you voting? | There are three lines and we have to vote in alphabetical order. I think I might be able to vote soon as my surname begins with 'B' Naomi Banda, 22, studentLusaka Zambian's voting experiences Are you voting? |
| Mr Mwanawasa and his backers have boasted about steady economic growth and success in getting most of the country's foreign debt written off. | Mr Mwanawasa and his backers have boasted about steady economic growth and success in getting most of the country's foreign debt written off. |
| However, our correspondent reports others say they have yet to feel the affects - the revival in the crucial copper sector is slow, unemployment is high and there is concern over health and education standards. | However, our correspondent reports others say they have yet to feel the affects - the revival in the crucial copper sector is slow, unemployment is high and there is concern over health and education standards. |
| Opposition supporters say it is time for a change after 15 years of the MMD being in power. | Opposition supporters say it is time for a change after 15 years of the MMD being in power. |
| "We need to bring hope to Zambia... Can people eat inflation?" Mr Sata said as he cast his vote in the capital, Lusaka. | |
| The opposition vote is divided between the other two main candidates - Mr Sata, of the Patriotic Front, and Hakainde Hichilema of the United Democratic Alliance, which includes former President Kenneth Kaunda's party. | |
| Warning | Warning |
| Mr Sata, a veteran of several previous governments, is a charismatic figure who clearly revels in wowing the crowds. | Mr Sata, a veteran of several previous governments, is a charismatic figure who clearly revels in wowing the crowds. |
| Campaign in pictures | Campaign in pictures |
| His message of lower taxes, more jobs and more money in your pocket is designed to gain the support of every disgruntled Zambian. Two-thirds of Zambia's 11.5m population live on less than $1 a day. | His message of lower taxes, more jobs and more money in your pocket is designed to gain the support of every disgruntled Zambian. Two-thirds of Zambia's 11.5m population live on less than $1 a day. |
| But the president has been warning that a vote for Mr Sata could seriously damage Zambia's economic recovery. This has been helped by rises in the price of copper and large debt write-offs, enabling the government to introduce free primary education and health clinics in rural areas. | But the president has been warning that a vote for Mr Sata could seriously damage Zambia's economic recovery. This has been helped by rises in the price of copper and large debt write-offs, enabling the government to introduce free primary education and health clinics in rural areas. |
| Mr Hichilema, a successful businessman, is a political novice but is expected to secure strong support - especially among the middle classes. | Mr Hichilema, a successful businessman, is a political novice but is expected to secure strong support - especially among the middle classes. |
| Godfrey Miyanda and Kenny Ngondo are also running for president. | Godfrey Miyanda and Kenny Ngondo are also running for president. |
| As the candidates are forced to keep quiet now they must be pondering whether they did enough on the campaign trail, our correspondent says. | As the candidates are forced to keep quiet now they must be pondering whether they did enough on the campaign trail, our correspondent says. |
| Some four million Zambians are registered to vote in presidential and parliamentary polls, with results expected on Saturday. No partial results are being released. | Some four million Zambians are registered to vote in presidential and parliamentary polls, with results expected on Saturday. No partial results are being released. |